Competition news

MATCHDAY 12: TENSION AT THE BOTTOM

21 Nov 2012The last three places were unable to win their games and remain at the pit, but the upper clubs are also failing and the tension to avoid relegation continues. The first places, meanwhile, continued with their triumphal march.

Deportivo, CA Osasuna and RCD Espanyol failed to win on the weekend and therefore the trio remains as the three clubs living inside the relegation zone. The Galicians lost for the second time at home and suffered an expensive 0-2 loss hosting Levante UD. It was expensive as Oltra’s team lost Aranzubia, Ze Castro and Marchena for the next game, the first one was sent off and the other two are injured.

Meanwhile, CA Osasuna had a goalless game hosting a depressed Malaga CF; it was the only 0-0 of the weekend and the first in a fortnight. More painful was the defeat of RCD Espanyol visiting Valencia CF (2-1). The Catalans made a solid game, but an inexistent penalty whistled by disastrous referee Del Cerro Grande left the three points at Mestalla. To make things worse the referee showed fifteen yellow cards and also sent off two players, a record in la liga.

But neither the other clubs in trouble were able to win; RC Celta could only draw at home against RCD Mallorca (1-1), therefore both clubs remain close to the pit. The Galicians have been unable to win any of their last six official games (5 in liga & 1 in Copa), while this is just the first point added by the Majorcans after suffering six straight defeats.

Another club that failed at home was Granada CF; the Andalusians were defeated by Atlético Madrid (0-1) and are only one point above relegation. Real Zaragoza and Athletic Bilbao arrived to the weekend after picking positive results, but they were easily beaten by FC Barcelona (3-1) and Real Madrid (5-1) and both remain in danger.

The situation at the bottom of the standings:

place

team

points

GF

GA

16

Celta

11

14

18

17

Granada

11

11

19

18

Deportivo

10

18

27

19

Osasuna

9

11

15

20

Espanyol

9

13

20

he big winner of the weekend was Levante UD as the victory at the Riazor is pulling them to the Champions League seats for the first time on the season. The big losers were Malaga CF and Real Betis. The first club has only added 2 of the last 12 points in dispute, while the latter was trashed in the Andalusian derby visiting Sevilla CF (5-1). It’s the fourth time in which Sevilla is netting five goals against its nemesis and the first time on this century in which they score five goals in one game playing at the Sánchez Pizjuán.

FC Barcelona remain as the only unbeaten club in la liga, but the Catalans are only three points above Atlético Madrid, club that’s signings its best start ever at Primera División adding ten wins and one draw in only twelve games. Real Madrid have now a gap of six points at the third place. In the other games of the matchday Getafe CF defeated Real Valladolid (2-1) and Real Sociedad trashed Rayo Vallecano at home (4-0). The Madrilenians are now the worst defense at Primera with 29 goals allowed, it’s the worst mark after 12 matchdays since 1997 (Sporting Gijón, 30)

The situation at the top of the standings:

place

team

points

GF

GA

1

Barcelona

34

39

15

2

Atletico

31

25

11

3

Real Madrid

26

32

9

4

Levante

20

15

16

5

Malaga

19

15

9

6

Betis

19

19

22

7

Sevilla

18

18

14

8

Valencia

18

16

14

MATCHDAY 13: BATTLE ON THE ROADFive of the last six places at the standings are playing away from home during next weekend. Therefore the battle to avoid relegation will be played on the road during the matchday. RC Deportivo visit Athletic Bilbao, club that plays a decisive match on Thursday for the UEFA Europa League. CA Osasuna visit Real Sociedad, RC Celta do the same with Real Zaragoza; Granada CF travel to the José Zorrilla stadium in order to meet Real Valladolid. Last place RCD Espanyol is the only bottom club playing at home; the Catalans are entertaining Getafe CF.

Then there are four interesting games that could change a lot of things at the top of the standings. Leaders FC Barcelona have a tough match visiting fourth place Levante UD. Runners-up Atlético Madrid entertains an euphoric seventh spot Sevilla CF, third place Real Madrid host a depressed Real Betis that despite the big loss in the Andalusian derby it remains at the sixth spot. Also, fifth place Malaga CF entertains seventh spot Valencia CF. The other game in the weekend is the visit of RCD Mallorca to Rayo Vallecano.